Column-The Debate on Influx Must Address Local Involvement
The debate surrounding the influx of outsiders into Scheduled Areas such as those inhabited by the Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo communities must move beyond surface-level arguments. It is crucial to examine not just the presence of immigrants but also the systems and demand that sustain them. While it is true that agents or dalals play a role in facilitating the entry of immigrants into the region, they are not the root cause of the influx. These individuals often assist only with transport or logistics. The real question we must ask is: Who provides shelter? Who offers employment? Clearly, without local demand, such immigration would not persist. The uncomfortable truth is that many immigrants survive because they are supported—directly or indirectly—by local actors. Unregulated housing agencies and landlords, who are often unrecognized by any governing body, offer accommodation for the sake of profit, without verifying the legal status or nationality of tenants. Some agents may not eve...